6th century BCE-present
Confucianism is a Chinese philosophical system founded by Confucius emphasizing moral cultivation, social harmony, filial piety, and ritual propriety.
Founded by Confucius (551-479 BCE). Mencius and Xunzi developed it. Became state ideology in Han dynasty.
Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi, Zhu Xi, Wang Yangming.
Ren (humaneness). Li (ritual propriety). Filial piety. Five Relationships. Junzi (exemplary person). Rectification of names.
Shaped East Asian civilizations. Influenced civil service systems. Contemporary revival in virtue ethics.
